Once inside, after putting down the bags, Haruno cheerfully recounted the whole story from a few days ago to Eriri.
Hearing it all, Eriri exclaid in surprise:
"I didn't think it would turn out like that! But knowing Auntie's personality, it really does sound like sothing she would do. What I didn't expect was… not just you, Haruno-nee, but even Yukino agreed."
Haruno smiled. "Maybe she got a taste of family affection she hadn't felt in a long ti?"
Yukino shot her sister a sharp look. "Sis, if you say things like that, I'll tell Mother exactly what you said. She's not the sa as before anymore. If she hears that, she really will be upset."
"Alright, alright, I'll drop it."
Haruno imdiately ended the topic, glanced around the living room, and asked:
"Just the few of you here? Where's Kou and Rin?"
"They went grocery shopping."
Ichin poured tea for the sisters, sitting down with them. "They should be back any minute."
Right as he said that, the doorbell rang. Ichin opened the door and welcod in Yagami Kou and Toyama Rin, both carrying big bags of groceries.
After setting the food down in the kitchen, Rin ca to the living room with a smile.
"Haruno, Yukino, did you enjoy your trip these past few days?"
"Very much!" Haruno bead. "We even took a trip to Hangzhou—it was wonderful. I haven't had that much fun in ages."
And she ant it. Compared to Yukino, who still had ti to relax at school, Haruno was always busy—either working in the family company or being dragged by her mother to etings and banquets, mingling with business partners.
These past few days of carefree travel had truly been a rare and precious experience.
Looking toward Kou, Haruno asked, "Kou, you get weekends off now too, right? You could go on trips as well."
"That's true." Kou nodded. "But in Japan, there aren't many new places left to see. If it were China, then sure—but two days isn't enough ti. And with ga developnt still underway, I don't want to take vacation ti. I'd rather wait until the project's finished and use a long holiday. Isn't that right, Rin?"
Rin laughed. "Exactly. If we want to travel, we can wait for a long break. And Kou, did you forget? We've got the company trip in the sumr."
"Hehe, of course I didn't forget. But I still don't know where we're going this year."
She looked straight at Ichin.
As the boss, Ichin only spread his hands with a smile. "Don't look at . I left this year's company trip to Hazuki to arrange. The only thing I know is that it'll be in August."
Rin added, "I actually asked Hazuki the other day. She said with how hot it's been, she's considering Hokkaido—much cooler there."
"Oh, perfect!" Kou's eyes lit up. "I'll call her this afternoon to see if it's decided."
After finishing that topic, Rin and Ichin went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Ichin also cut up the two large waterlons Haruno had bought and put them in the fridge to chill—ready for an icy treat in the afternoon.
anwhile, in the living room, the girls each cuddled a cat, happily playing with them.
Peppa and George, both recently neutered, had already recovered well. Yukino sat with Sesa in her lap, gently stroking its back with a smile.
Eriri had her little orange kitten stretched out across her legs, giggling as she tickled its tiny paws.
After a while, Eriri leaned closer to Yukino and whispered, "Yukino, can I ask you sothing?"
"Mm? What is it?"
Lowering her voice further, Eriri asked, "Now that you're Ichin's sister, I noticed you didn't change how you addressed him earlier. You didn't call him 'onii-san,' did you?"
Yukino froze for a second.
"Ahh… not used to it?"
Yukino nodded slightly. "Yes, it feels a bit strange. But it's only a title. Senpai hasn't changed how he calls Haruno either."
"I see…"
Eriri glanced at Yukino, then at Haruno, her face showing a trace of disappointnt.
Her expression flickered only briefly—but unfortunately, Haruno noticed.
Setting down her kitten, Haruno pounced, hugging Eriri from behind and pinching her cheeks.
"Eriri-chan, what were you two whispering about just now? Don't lie—I can tell."
"Uh…"
Eriri's face stiffened, her not-so-bright little brain working overti trying to find a way out.
In the end, Yukino simply said it outright:
"Eriri was asking about how we address senpai now. Sis, you can let her go."
"Ohhh, so that's what it was."
Releasing Eriri, Haruno sighed dramatically. "That really does bother , though. Ichin refuses to call 'big sis.' And I really want to be a proper sister for once—it's the first ti I've ever had a little brother!"
Yukino rolled her eyes openly at that.
Her sister, acting like a dependable big sister? Yukino was the first to think that was impossible.
Glancing toward the kitchen, Haruno turned back to the group with a grin.
"Kou, Rin, Utaha—you three, help figure this out. How can I make Ichin call onee-san?"
Eriri timidly raised her hand. "Um… aren't you going to ask too?"
Everyone glanced at her briefly, then went right back to their own discussion.
"I think we could try this—"
"No, that won't work. Ichin won't fall for it."
"Right, maybe if we—"
Watching them completely ignore her, Eriri's temper flared. She set her kitten down, huffed, and marched off to the kitchen.
She leaned toward Ichin, whispering urgently:
"Ichin, I need to tell you sothing!"
"What is it?" Ichin set down his knife and looked at her. "Just so we're clear, I'm not letting you sneak bites of the food."
"I'm not here to steal food!" Eriri snapped, then jabbed a thumb toward the living room. "Haruno-nee is scheming with everyone on how to make you call her onee-san!"
"Oh, that? I expected as much."
Ichin shrugged. "If Haruno gave up after just one day, then she wouldn't be Haruno. But Eriri, why didn't you stay and join in the discussion?"
Under his gaze, Eriri's face stiffened instantly.
*
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